Wanderers: A History of Women Walking

Wanderers explores the significance of walking for ten women throughout history, from Elizabeth Carter to Nan Shepherd and Cheryl Strayed, highlighting how it shaped their sense of self and their writing.

Format: Hardback
Length: 288 pages
Publication date: 14 September 2020
Publisher: Reaktion Books

Wanderers: Ten Women Who Found Walking Essential to Their Sense of Self is a captivating book that explores the profound impact of walking on ten remarkable women over the past three hundred years. From the eighteenth-century parson's daughter Elizabeth Carter, who yearned to be seen as a vagabond in the wilds of southern England, to modern-day walker-writers like Nan Shepherd and Cheryl Strayed, walking has been an integral part of their lives and their writing. Each woman's journey is unique, whether it involves rambling for miles across the Highlands, like Sarah Stoddart Hazlitt, or pacing novels into being, as Virginia Woolf did around Bloomsbury. Wanderers offers a captivating view of the history of walking, guiding us through the different ways of seeing and being articulated by these ten pathfinding women.

Elizabeth Carter, a parson's daughter in the eighteenth century, was a wanderer at heart. She longed to be seen as a vagabond in the wilds of southern England, and her desire to explore the world on foot led her to embark on numerous adventures. Carter's writing reflects her love of nature and her sense of freedom, and her works have become classics of English literature.

Nan Shepherd, a Scottish walker-writer, is known for her lyrical descriptions of the Scottish Highlands. Her books, such as The Living Mountain and The Snow Child, have inspired generations of readers to explore the beauty of the natural world. Shepherd's writing is characterized by its simplicity and its ability to convey the essence of a place.

Cheryl Strayed, an American writer, is best known for her memoir Wild: From Lost to Found on the Pacific Crest Trail. Strayed's journey on the trail was a transformative experience, and her book has become a best-seller. Strayed's writing is characterized by its honesty and its ability to connect with readers on a deep level.

Sarah Stoddart Hazlitt, a British writer, was a prolific novelist who lived in the nineteenth century. Her novels, such as The Mill on the Floss and Middlemarch, are known for their intricate plots and their vivid characters. Hazlitt's writing is characterized by its realism and its ability to capture the essence of the human experience.

Virginia Woolf, a British writer, is best known for her novels, such as Mrs. Dalloway and To the Lighthouse. Woolf's writing is characterized by its stream-of-consciousness style and its ability to explore the inner lives of her characters. Woolf's walking was integral to her writing process, and she often walked for hours in the gardens of her home in Bloomsbury.

Walking has been a source of inspiration for many writers throughout history. For some, it is a way to connect with nature and to find peace and tranquility. For others, it is a way to explore new places and to gain a deeper understanding of the world. Walking has also been used as a form of therapy, with many people finding that it can help to reduce stress and anxiety.

Wanderers explores the different ways in which walking has been used by these ten women. Carter's writing reflects her love of nature and her sense of freedom, while Shepherd's writing is characterized by its simplicity and its ability to convey the essence of a place. Strayed's writing is characterized by its honesty and its ability to connect with readers on a deep level, while Hazlitt's writing is characterized by its realism and its ability to capture the essence of the human experience. Woolf's writing is characterized by its stream-of-consciousness style and its ability to explore the inner lives of her characters, and her walking was integral to her writing process.

In addition to their writing, these women have also been influential in the world of walking. Carter was a founding member of the Ramblers' Association, and her work helped to promote walking as a recreational activity. Shepherd was a pioneer in the field of wilderness therapy, and her work has helped to improve the lives of many people. Strayed has been a champion of the outdoors, and her book has inspired many people to embark on their own hiking adventures. Hazlitt was a prolific writer, and her work has been translated into many languages.

Wanderers is a beautifully written book that will appeal to anyone who loves walking or who is interested in the history of women's writing. The book is divided into three sections, each focusing on a different woman's journey. The first section focuses on Carter's life, while the second section focuses on Shepherd's life, and the third section focuses on Strayed's life. Each section is filled with vivid descriptions of the women's experiences, and the book is accompanied by beautiful photographs of the places that they have walked.

One of the most interesting aspects of Wanderers is the way in which the women's stories intersect. Carter's life was marked by tragedy, while Shepherd's life was marked by joy. Strayed's life was marked by both tragedy and joy, and her book has been a testament to the power of resilience. The women's stories are also interconnected by the theme of walking. Each woman's journey has been shaped by her love of walking, and each woman has found a unique way to express herself through her writing.

Wanderers also offers a valuable insight into the history of walking. The book traces the development of walking as a recreational activity, and it explores the different ways in which walking has been used by different cultures throughout history. The book also explores the impact of walking on the environment, and it highlights the importance of preserving natural spaces for future generations.

In conclusion, Wanderers: Ten Women Who Found Walking Essential to Their Sense of Self is a captivating book that explores the profound impact of walking on ten remarkable women over the past three hundred years. From the eighteenth-century parson's daughter Elizabeth Carter to modern-day walker-writers like Nan Shepherd and Cheryl Strayed, walking has been an integral part of their lives and their writing. The book offers a beguiling view of the history of walking, guiding us through the different ways of seeing and being articulated by these ten pathfinding women. Whether you are a walker or a writer, Wanderers is a book that you will not want to miss.

Weight: 532g
Dimension: 148 x 223 x 32 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781789143423